Beach umbrella with tie-down

ABSTRACT

A beach umbrella provides an elongated support shaft having a pointed distal end inserted into a soft surface, and a proximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft. The folding canopy provides a fabric panel stretched over a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially from it to form a downwardly convex external surface. A flexible strut has a grommet fitted over the upper terminal end of the support shaft and an opposing eyelet engaged with a tensioned securing line. The securing line is fixed at a distal end to a stake driven into the soft surface so the line forms a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft. The flexible strut lies in contact with the external surface of the fabric panel and is shaped to engage one of the ribs such that the fabric panel is sandwiched between the rib and the flexible strut.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0001] Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference, any and allU.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and printedmatter cited or referred to in this application.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to restraint systems;particularly of the guy-wire type, and more particularly to a restraintfor use in securing a beach umbrella in place.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The following art defines the present state of this field: Maulet al., U.S. 245,580 describes a parasol attachment consisting of thetwo strands or cords connected to the parasol, and combined with theslide, through which the cords or strands are passed, and in which theyare crossed.

[0006] Barcus, U.S. Pat. No. 1,150,731 describes a parasol having acover on which stars are indicated relatively to a position on the coverwhich serves to indicate Polaris, and a stick for the parasol having anend secured to the cover at the said position, by which the said parasolmay be pointed as desired and may be rotated with the stick as its axis.

[0007] Higdon, U.S. Pat. No. 1,315,497 describes a portable, collapsibledressing room comprising four corner posts adapted to be forced into theground, four top rails extending between and detachably supported on theupper ends of the posts, and a single piece of foldable fabricpermanently secured to three of said top rails and detachably secured tothe fourth rail.

[0008] Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 2,519,430 describes a portable boothcomprising a flat circular base member, a plurality of vertical postmembers detachably secured at their bottom ends to said base member incircumferential spaced relation, a horizontal annular memberfrictionally secured to said post members in vertical spaced relationwith respect to said base member and mounted for slidable movement onsaid post members, a cylindrical flexible curtain depending from theperiphery of said annular member and terminating adjacent said basemember, a plurality of rigid rings secured to and encircling saidcurtain in vertical spaced relation, loop elements formed on said rigidrings and slidably receiving said post members, elastic bands secured toand encircling said curtain intermediate said rigid rings, and anauxiliary flexible curtain element depending from said annular memberadjacent the inside of said curtain defining a clothes storage spacebetween the auxiliary element and said curtain.

[0009] D'Ulisse et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,453 describes s net adaptorfor converting an umbrella to a substantially insect-proof shelter forpersonnel, comprising a circular dome-shaped portion made up of aplurality of wedge-shaped sections of a net-like material cut on a biasand joined together laterally with their uppermost terminal portionsdefining a relatively small circular opening permitting passagetherethrough of the uppermost end of the umbrella's supporting pole, andtheir lowermost terminal portions defining a relatively large circularopening whose diameter is approximately the same as that of the umbrellatop's largest diameter, gripping means at least a part of which issecured to the under side of said dome-shaped portion and adapted toestablish a firm grip on the umbrella's top surface so as affirmativelyto prevent relative movement between the dome-shaped portion and theumbrella's top surface, sidewall sections extending from the lowermostterminal portions of said wedge-shaped sections down to the ground whichsupports. the vertically positioned umbrella's supporting pole, andmeans for securing the said sidewall sections to the ground, whereby tokeep the adaptor firmly positioned in place covering the umbrella andforming a tent-like shelter for personnel with the umbrella top forminga roof and the adaptor's sidewall sections forming the sides of theshelter.

[0010] Hulin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,498,305 describes a collapsible tentcomprising: a pyramidally shaped top panel of flexible material having acircular lower edge and an upwardly pointing apex; a side panel offlexible material having an endless upper edge secured to the circularlower edge of said top panel; a plurality of elongated webbing stripssecured to the downwardly facing side of said top panel, each of saidwebbing strips extending from a first point on the lower edge of saidtop panel, across the apex of said top panel and to a second point onsaid lower edge of said top panel on the opposite:side of said loweredge from said first point, said webbing strips crossing each other atsaid apex and each of said webbing strips having a pair of free endportions at opposite ends. thereof; engaging means secured to thedownwardly facing side of said top panel and detachably engaging thefree ends of said webbing strips to form bights in each webbing stripadjacent the lower edge of the top panel; a first-rigid ring having anouter periphery configured and dimensioned to mate with the innerperiphery of said side wall panel adjacent the upper edge of the sidewall panel, said first rigid ring extending through the several bightsformed by said webbing strips and lending rigid support to the side wallpanel of the tent; additional webbing strips secured to the upwardlyfacing surface of said top panel directly over some of said firstmentioned webbing strips, each of said additional webbing strips beingsecured through said top panel to one of said first mentioned webbingstrips and extending across the apex of said top panel; a suspensionring passed under said additional webbing strips at the apex of said toppanel for suspending said tent; a second rigid ring having an outerperiphery configured and dimensioned to mate with the inner periphery ofthe lower portion of said side wall panel; a plurality of spaced,flexible ties on the interior of said side wall panel tied around, anddetachably retaining, said second rigid ring in a horizontal position incontact with the inner periphery of the lower portion of said side wallpanel; a plurality of anchor rods each baying a hook-shaped portion atone end for detachably engaging said second rigid ring and anchoringsaid second rigid ring to the ground; and an adjustably colsablevertically extending closure element in said side panel.

[0011] Matsuda, U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,693 describes A folding umbrellaincluding a central shaft, a movable frame consisting of ribs coupled toone end of the shaft, an unfurlable material coupled to the frame and abelt swingingly coupled at one end to an edge of the material wherebythe umbrella may be furled not only when the umbrella is folded up butalso when the umbrella is not folded up.

[0012] Furey, U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,893 describes a beach umbrellaanchoring system comprising an anchor member comprising a container, inthe form of a beach bag, for containing a weighting medium, such assand, and a connector for connecting the container to a beach umbrellarestraining device; and a beach umbrella restraining device comprising aflexible cable member, a releasable connector fixed to one end of thecable for releasably connecting the cable to a beach umbrella, a secondreleasable connector, fixed to the other end of the cable, forreleasably connecting the cable member to the connector of the anchormember, and a third releasable connect or, slidingly attached to thecable member intermediate the ends thereof for releasably attaching thecable member to the beach umbrella. The anchoring system may be suppliedin the form of a kit comprising the anchoring member (beach bag) therestraining device, and a sand shovel for filling the container memberwith sand. The provision of the container member in the form of a beachbag allows the system to be readily carried to the beach along withother paraphernalia. The system serves to anchor beach umbrellas againstbeing overturned and flailing about in sudden or unexpected gusts ofwind.

[0013] Stark, U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,128 describes an umbrella having oneor more magnetic fasteners attached thereto strategically located toprovide support of an open umbrella to a metallic surface on a vehicleso that the umbrella can be self-supported adjacent the opening of avehicle such as the door opening or trunk and would withstand and besupported on the surface in rains or wind. The device permits the userto have both hands free for removing or placing small children orarticles in a vehicle.

[0014] Murray et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,833 describes a generalpurpose sand anchor, including: a paddle shaped anchor base, curved likethe face of a spade shovel, for use as a hand-held shovel for diggingthe hole into which it will be placed; a line, with one end joined tothe anchor base at the center of its wider part and the other end joinedto the anchor base at the end of its narrower part; a hook, whichattaches to an object to be secured, joined to the line at a point aboveits connection to the center of the wider part of the anchor base; and ahandle, which is used to remove the anchor base from the sand, joined tothe line at a point above its connection to the end of the narrower partof the anchor base.

[0015] Wilson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,865 describes a tie-down for atable umbrella for preventing damage to a table umbrella. The tie-downsfor a table umbrella include a plurality of rigid elongate members whichare essentially made of stiff wire with each having a first hook-likeend and a second hook-like end both of which are adapted to attach to atable and an umbrella; and also includes a plurality of coupling memberseach of which is essentially a flat, rigid strip-like piece having aplurality of holes spaced therealong for coupling a respective pair ofelongate members one of which is attached to the table and the other ofwhich is attached to the umbrella.

[0016] The prior art teaches a beach umbrella safety system, tentsecuring lines, a sand anchoring system, dressing booth anchorage,umbrella net securement, folded umbrella securement, tie-downs for anumbrella, magnetic fastening of an umbrella, and decorative securementfor a parasol, but does not teach a beach umbrella anchor line adaptedfor engagement with a beach umbrella in a manner to hold the umbrella ina fixed position against a wind force.

[0017] The present invention fulfills these needs and provides furtherrelated advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention teaches certain benefits in constructionand use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0019] A beach umbrella provides an elongated support shaft having apointed distal end inserted into a soft surface, and a proximal foldingcanopy positioned below an upper terminal end of the support shaft. Thefolding canopy provides a fabric panel stretched over a plurality ofribs engaged with the support shaft and extending radially from it toform a downwardly convex external surface. A flexible strut has agrommet fitted over the upper terminal end of the support shaft and anopposing eyelet engaged with a tensioned securing line. The securingline is fixed at a distal end to a stake driven into the soft surface sothe line forms a downwardly divergent angle with the support shaft. Theflexible strut lies in contact with the external surface of the fabricpanel and is shaped to engage one of the ribs such that the fabric panelis sandwiched between the rib and the flexible strut.

[0020] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide anapparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantagesnot taught by the prior art.

[0021] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable ofshading a sunbather.

[0022] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable ofwithstanding a wind force.

[0023] A still further objective is to provide such an invention capableof being positioned and secured in a minimum amount of time with aminimum amount of effort.

[0024] Other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. Insuch drawings:

[0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a plan view of a strut thereof;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

[0029]FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention inat least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined indetail in the following description.

[0031] The present invention is a means for securing an umbrella againsta wind force; see FIG. 1. The invention is a combination of a beachumbrella 10 of any ordinary type, and an umbrella securing apparatus 20of a new design. The beach umbrella 10 provides an elongated supportshaft 30 typically of wood or metal or other structural material. Thissupport shaft 30 preferably has a pointed distal end 32 so that it maybe more easily inserted or driven into a soft surface 5 such as sand ona beach or garden soil, for instance. The umbrella 10 has a proximallypositioned folding canopy 40 positioned below an upper terminal end 34of the support shaft 30. This is clearly shown in FIG. 1. The foldingcanopy 40 provides a fabric panel 42 stretched over a plurality of metalflexible ribs 44 engaged with the support shaft 30 and extendingradially therefrom as is well known in this type of umbrellaconstruction. The folding canopy 40 forms a downwardly convex externalsurface 46 clearly shown in FIG. 1.

[0032] The securing apparatus 20 includes an elongate flexible strut 28made preferably of plastic, and having at one end, a grommet 22 which isfitted over, and thereby secured on, the upper terminal end 34 of thesupport shaft 30. At the other end of the strut 28 is an eyelet 24engaged with a tensioned securing line 50 or rope. The securing line 50is fixed at a downwardly distal end 52 to the soft surface 5 preferablyby attachment to a ground stake 60 driven into the soft surface 5, as iswell known. This line 50 preferably forms a downwardly divergent angle αwith the support shaft 30 and in this manner is able to apply ahorizontal lateral component of the counter restraining force to thewind force F whenever the umbrella tends to be driven to one lateralside or the other. If the line were to be parallel with the supportshaft, no such righting force would be generated. Preferably, theflexible strut 28 lies in contact with the external surface 46 of thefabric panel 42. The flexible strut 28 provides a shape, preferably aninverted open V-shape, best seen in FIG. 3, enabling engagement of aselected one of the ribs 44 such that the fabric panel 42 is sandwichedbetween said one of the ribs 44 and the flexible strut 28 as shown inFIG. 4.

[0033] Preferably, the strut 28 is of a length whereby the eyelet 24 isplaced exteriorly to the fabric panel 42 as shown in FIG. 1, and in thismanner the line engagement, by knot or otherwise, does not interferewith, or damage the fabric panel 42 or the rib 44.

[0034] Preferably, the grommet 22 is of such size as to provide afriction fit on the upper terminal end 34 of the support shaft 30. Inthis way, the grommet 22 does not tend to walk up the upper terminal end34 or become separated from it when under tension.

[0035] In operation, the invention is erected as follows: first thedistal end 32 of the umbrella 10 is driven into the soft surface 5 andthe support shaft 30 is tilted slightly away from the direction of thewind F, as shown in FIG. 1; next, the grommet 22 of the flexible strut28 is placed over the upper terminal end 34 of the support shaft 30 andforced downwardly into a strong frictional engagement on the supportshaft 30 and in contact with the fabric panel 42; the strut 28 beingplaced in alignment with the wind direction F and extending from theterminal end 34 toward the wind F; next the umbrella fabric panel 42 isopened and secured; and finally, the securing line 50 is attached to theeyelet 24 and to the stake 60 which was previously driven into the softsurface 5 upwind from the support shaft 30. The strut 28 is positionedover one of the ribs 44 of the umbrella 10 and is held there by tensiondue to the wind force F.

[0036] While the invention has been described with reference to at leastone preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by thoseskilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather,the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction withthe appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the inventor(s)believe that the claimed subject matter is the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An umbrella with a securing apparatus comprisingin combination: a beach umbrella providing an elongated support shafthaving a pointed distal end for insertion into a soft surface, and aproximal folding canopy positioned below an upper terminal end of thesupport shaft; the folding canopy providing a fabric panel stretchedover a plurality of ribs engaged with the support shaft and extendingradially therefrom, the folding canopy forming a downwardly convexexternal surface; and an elongate flexible strut having, at one end, agrommet fitted over, and thereby secured on, the upper terminal end ofthe support shaft, and at the other end an eyelet engaged with atensioned securing line, the securing line fixed at a distal end thereofto the soft surface and forming a downwardly divergent angle with thesupport shaft; the flexible strut laying in contact with the externalsurface of the fabric panel, the flexible strut providing a shapeenabling engagement of a selected one of the ribs such that the fabricpanel is sandwiched between said one of the ribs and the flexible strut.2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the flexible strut is provides aninverted open V-shape.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the strutis of a length whereby the eyelet is placed exteriorly to the fabricpanel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the grommet provides afriction fit on the upper terminal end of the support shaft.
 5. Thecombination of claim 1 further comprising a ground stake secured in thesoft surface and engaged with the distal end of the securing line.